Myanmar has purged eight deputy cabinet ministers and one supreme court judge, state-run media said on Saturday, in a move analysts said would have little impact on policy in the military-run nation. The change of cabinet ministers, the second such move in a month, took effect on Friday, media reported.
"The State Peace and Development Council has permitted the following deputy ministers to retire with effect from June 16," Myanmar Radio announced referring to the military junta.
"Permitted to retire" is a euphemism often used by the military government when purging unwanted senior officials. Among the deputy ministers removed were Major-General Khin Maung Win of the Ministry of Defence, Thein Sein and Brigadier-General Aung Thein of the Ministry of Information and Myint Thein of the Ministry of Mines.
The other purged cabinet members were Brigadier-General Soe Win Maung of the Ministry of Culture, Brigadier-General Than Tun of the Ministry of Border Development, Brigadier-General Thein Tun of the Ministry of Industry-1 and Pe Than of the Ministry of Transport.
In a separate announcement, Supreme Court Judge U Khin Maung Aye was also permitted to retire effective from June 16. Since assuming power in 1988, the leaders of the present regime and its cabinet have undergone a number of changes. In the last shake-up on May 15, two ministers and one deputy minister were removed and four new ministers and four new deputy ministers were appointed.
Yangon-based analysts said it was essential for the regime's top leaders to shake-up the council and cabinet to make room for younger senior military officials.